Today we’d like to introduce you to Stella Singleton.
Hi Stella, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m the owner of Needles & Bolts, a modern quilt shop and Maker Space in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. What started as a love of sewing and quilting slowly grew into something much bigger: a desire to create the kind of creative community space I wished existed when I was learning.
Like a lot of makers, I came to sewing through necessity and curiosity. I loved the idea that you could take fabric and turn it into something useful, beautiful, or deeply personal. Over time, sewing became more than a hobby for me — it became a way to connect with people, build confidence, and create community.
Before opening the shop, I spent years working in corporate spaces, and like many people, my priorities shifted after COVID. The pandemic really forced me to think about what felt meaningful, how I wanted to spend my time, and the kind of impact I wanted to have on my community. I realized I was craving connection, creativity, and work that felt more human-centered — not just productive for productivity’s sake. That shift ultimately gave me the push to take a leap and build something that brought people together in a tangible way.
I didn’t just want to open a fabric store. I wanted to build a welcoming, accessible space where people felt comfortable walking in whether they’d been sewing for 30 years or had never touched a sewing machine before.
Needles & Bolts opened in 2022, and we’ve grown incredibly quickly. We offer modern quilting fabric, garment sewing supplies, classes, workshops, open sew sessions, and community events, and most recently, we’ve added longarm services. We’ve become known not just as a retail shop, but as a gathering place — somewhere people come to learn, make friends, share projects, and feel inspired.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the diversity of people who walk through our doors. Sewing has sometimes been viewed as exclusive or intimidating, and we work really hard to break down those barriers. We want people to feel like creativity belongs to them too.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road — but I think that’s true for most small business owners, especially in retail.
Opening a brick-and-mortar business is a huge leap on its own, but opening a creative retail space in a world that COVID had fundamentally changed came with a unique set of challenges. Consumer habits shifted dramatically, supply chains were unpredictable, and the cost of literally everything — rent, inventory, shipping, labor — seemed to increase overnight — not to mention the addition of tariff rules that seemed to change daily. There’s a constant balancing act between creating an inspiring, welcoming community space and making sure the business remains financially sustainable.
One of the biggest challenges has been wearing so many hats at once. As a small business owner, you’re not just the “owner.” You’re the buyer, marketer, customer service department, social media manager, event planner, teacher, janitor, accountant, and sometimes even therapist. It can be exhausting, especially in an industry where so much of the work is deeply personal and relationship-driven.
There have also been challenges around redefining what a modern quilt shop can look like. Sewing and quilting spaces have historically not always felt accessible or inclusive to everyone, and building a space that feels genuinely welcoming across ages, backgrounds, identities, and skill levels has taken intentional effort. But that work is incredibly important to me.
At the same time, the challenges have also reinforced why this work matters. People are craving connection and opportunities to make things with their hands. We’ve seen friendships form in classes, people regain confidence after difficult life transitions, and beginners discover creativity they didn’t know they had. Those moments make the hard parts worth it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Needles & Bolts, we specialize in modern quilting, garment sewing, and creative education. We’re a fabric shop, but more importantly, we’re a community-centered Maker Space where people can learn new skills, explore creativity, and connect with others through making.
We offer a curated selection of modern fabrics, sewing tools, and supplies alongside a robust calendar of classes, workshops, clubs, and community events. Our classes range from absolute beginner sewing to advanced quilting and garment construction, and we work really hard to make sewing feel approachable rather than intimidating.
I think what we’re most known for is the atmosphere we’ve created. People often tell us that walking into the shop feels different — welcoming, inclusive, energetic, and genuinely supportive. We’ve intentionally built a space where beginners feel comfortable asking questions, experienced sewists feel inspired, and people from all backgrounds feel like they belong. Creativity can sometimes feel exclusive, especially in traditional craft spaces, and we’ve worked hard to challenge that.
We’re also known for blending modern aesthetics with community-building. We host everything from quilting classes and garment workshops to queer stitch nights, collaborative events with local artists, and beginner-friendly sewing programs. We really believe sewing can be both a practical skill and a tool for connection.
What I’m most proud of is the community that has grown around the shop in such a short amount of time. Watching strangers become friends around a sewing table is incredibly special. I’m proud that people trust us enough to try something new, make mistakes, learn publicly, and keep creating.
I’m also proud that we’ve been able to grow while staying true to our values. It would have been easy to focus only on sales, but from the beginning I wanted Needles & Bolts to feel like a place people could gather, create, and feel seen. I think that sense of authenticity is what really sets us apart.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One piece of advice I’d give to anyone starting out is to remember that you do not have to figure everything out alone. There are so many community resources available to small business owners — local business associations, mentorship programs, grants, neighborhood development organizations, small business workshops, and networking groups — but many people don’t realize they exist until they’re already overwhelmed. I really encourage new business owners to research what resources are available in their city or neighborhood and take advantage of them early.
I’d also say: start before you feel fully ready. If you wait until you have every answer, every skill, or the “perfect” plan, you’ll never begin. Running a business is constant problem-solving and learning in real time. Some of the most valuable lessons only come from actually doing the work.
At the same time, I wish I had understood earlier just how important boundaries are. When you care deeply about your business, it’s easy for it to consume every part of your life. Especially in community-centered businesses, people often see the passion and creativity, but not the emotional labor, long hours, and behind-the-scenes work that make everything possible. Protecting your time, energy, and creativity is essential for longevity.
I also think it’s important not to compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Social media can make it seem like everyone else has everything figured out, but most small business owners are learning as they go. Focus on building something authentic and sustainable rather than chasing constant growth or perfection.
And finally: listen to your community. Some of the best ideas and opportunities at Needles & Bolts have come directly from conversations with customers. People want to feel connected to businesses that genuinely care about them, and building those relationships matters just as much as the product you sell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.needlesandbolts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/needlesandbolts/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeedlesAndBolts/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@needlesandbolts
